THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — The International Criminal Court (ICC) expressed concern Friday at the decision by Chad and Venezuela to withdraw from the body and called on them to reconsider.

“The presidency regrets these developments,” said a statement from the court’s leadership, currently made up of Finland, Sierra Leone and Poland.

It said that withdrawals from the Rome Statute that set up the ICC “risk undermining the collective pursuit of justice and weakening global efforts to end impunity.”

It added: “The ICC stands at the heart of the international system of accountability, and its effectiveness depends on sustained and unequivocal support from the international community.”

“The presidency calls on Chad and Venezuela to remain committed states parties to the Rome Statute.”

Venezuela announced its withdrawal from the Hague-based court on July 25 and Chad two days later. Both accused the body of being biased in the investigations.

Earlier, the United States (US) launched a diplomatic offensive against the court — which it accuses of threatening Americans — promising new sanctions and calling on other nations to quit.

Relations between President Donald Trump’s administration and the court are poor, with some judges already subject to US sanctions.

Chad accused the ICC of focusing on African countries. The military juntas that rule Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have also signalled they want to leave the ICC.

Venezuela, which is the target of an ICC investigation, made similar complaints.

“Venezuela considers that the Court’s actions reflect a demonstrated geographical bias, which has disproportionately concentrated its work on African and Latin American countries,” said Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia.

The ICC is probing alleged crimes against humanity committed during crackdowns on protestors in Venezuela since 2014.

In December 2025, Venezuela’s parliament took steps to repeal the Rome Statute, the court’s founding text, after the tribunal closed its Caracas office.

This was during the rule of Nicholas Maduro, since captured by the US military.

The ICC tries individuals for the world’s worst crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The ICC’s president is currently Finland’s Paivi Kaukoranta, vice-president Michael Imran Kanu of Sierra Leone and Poland’s Margareta Kassangana.